My (realistic) choice for the Chiefs has essentially whittled down to two players: Cam Erving at center, and Kevin Johnson at corner. Both players fill immediate areas of need. Erving would start immediately at either C or RT. Johnson would replace the likely-departing Sean Smith in 2016 (or, even better, Smith is extended and the Chiefs have two starting CBs on the outside who are at least 6'2"). I think Johnson can start right now over Phillip Gaines, who I still really like, and combined with Smith, Gaines, and Jamel Flemming, keep the Chiefs secondary in the Top 5.

Johnson lacks elite speed, but that's what Gaines is ostensibly for. His skillset is extremely similar to Sean Smith, who is a bit bigger and a bit more athletic but lacks Johnson's intense mean streak. Smith is a true #1 when the "light is on," but a liability when it flickers off. Johnson's light never goes off, and exhibits an intensity our secondary has lacked since losing Brandon Flowers.

The question does become -- can the Chiefs seriously draft a CB with non-elite speed? I have my doubts, as I selected Jalen Collins last time around. But Johnson needs to be a serious, serious consideration assuming he lasts to us, which I think he will.

2.49. WR Devin Smith, Ohio State

I typically try to be more creative than this, just selecting the same guy over and over again. I promise I'll do better for the remainder of the mock.

3.80. C Reese Dismukes, Auburn

Dismukes is definitely underrated on this board. He doesn't sport outstanding measurables but he is a starter-caliber center that you can plug in right away. If the Chiefs elect to pass on Cam Erving in the 1st, it is possible that they try to land a technique-solid center who can start immediately on day two.

3.98. OLB Lorenzo Mauldin, Louisville

Mauldin is every bit the prospect his teammate Marcus Smith was last year. Smith was dramatically overdrafted in the 1st round, and since Mauldin carries all the weaknesses of Smith (and isn't the top-end athlete Smith is/was), we'll have a major course correction and he'll be available here at this point in the draft.

The Chiefs have to have contingency plans for life after Hali and Houston, if it ever gets that far. Mauldin/Ford is a start.

4.118. TE Tyler Kroft, Rutgers

It's easier to teach a good receiver to adequately block than it is to teach a good blocker to adequately receive. Kroft has already shown an adept ability to create separation with soft hands. At 240 lbs, he'll need to pack on some more muscle and the Chiefs will likely work to evolve him as a blocker.

5.172 & 5.173. NT Ellis McCarthy, UCLA & ILB Mike Hull, Penn State

Time to body out this defense, right quick. McCarthy is a gigantic mountain of a man that will need significant work to get him into NFL shape. He can nonetheless be a force at 6'5" with ridiculous, long arms. Poe never comes out anyway, so at least he'll have a learning curve.

Hull is somebody I'm very excited about in the late rounds. Hull is an absolute drill sergeant on the field, with a contagious energy that elevates the play of the entire defense. He's also a very smart player, filling his gaps responsibly and hitting with serious power. He's not a Day One starter, but we don't need one of those -- we need a guy with starter upside, and Hull fits that to a T.

6.193. WR Austin Hill, Arizona

Hill was, at one point, one of the top threats in all of college football. A great combination of hands, athleticism, and route-running had him projected as a very good NFL receiver -- until he tore his ACL in 2013. Since then, he's spent the past year doing what he can to get his game going, with middling results.

The Chiefs can pretty much immediately insert Hill into the strength & conditioning program and eventually get him back to his previously awesome ability.

6.217. DE Daryl Waud, Western Ontario

I spent the day yesterday checking out some Canadian talents, and it turns out that Waud is pretty damn impressive, at 6'5", 290 lbs, with good athleticism and the frame to show off some powerful strength. The Chiefs like shopping north of the border, obviously.

7.233. K Kyle Brindza, Notre Dame

Cairo Santos does not inspire confidence. It's time for an upgrade, and Brindza is arguably my favorite kicker in the draft.

i just dont understand your infatuation of cam erving. i like the guy, i like me some fatties too. I took him in the second in one of my mock drafts several months ago. i still like him as an immediate interior lineman who could eventually play tackle. but he just flat out isn't as good as the other tackle prospects in this class. i think he's a 2nd to 3rd round type of player as a tackle, and i dont think any center is worth a first round pick.

I think Erving probably ends up playing center in the NFL. He could play tackle or guard somewhere eventually, but I think he's a center.

I believe in positional value as much as anybody, but at the end of the day, you've got to be pragmatic.

What will make the Chiefs better: Cam Erving, or Kevin Johnson. Not "a center" versus "a corner" on "a hypothetical NFL team." We have known roster realities and available talent to consider.

Agreed!

People talk about reaching for a player of need, of drafting the best available player, etc... but that's thinking about the draft pick-by-pick. At the end of the (three) days it's about "how much have you improved your team?" You have to look at the collection of players you got and ask yourself "How much did my team improve? What weaknesses do I have that my opponents will try to exploit?"

If you just take BPA every pick and don't think about needs you'll end up drafting 5 damned running backs.

center just isn't that important of a position in the end of the day... an elite center is going to do very little in improving a team. what combo of players would make the chiefs better?

Richard Sherman, and an average Center like Stefan Wisenski

or Maurkice pouncey, and an average corner like Brandon Carr?

how about

Joe Thomas, and an average guard like geoff schwartz

or

Marshal Yanda and an average tackle like eric fisher(ok maybe fisher isn't average)

Dez Bryant and an old Chris Myers

or Rodney Hudson, and Eddie Royal

Center is one of the least impactful positions in football, and having an elote center isn't going to win you jack.

the draft nevers ends up how its supposed to but the first round pick gives you the best chance possible of finding an elite player, and i don't want our best chance going on a center. i'd much rather try to find an elite tackle, cb, wr, te, really anything but center.

center just isn't that important of a position in the end of the day... an elite center is going to do very little in improving a team. what combo of players would make the chiefs better?

Center is one of the least impactful positions in football, and having an elote center isn't going to win you jack.

the draft nevers ends up how its supposed to but the first round pick gives you the best chance possible of finding an elite player, and i don't want our best chance going on a center. i'd much rather try to find an elite tackle, cb, wr, te, really anything but center.

Sorry, don't agree. Last year, the Browns started off really good (7-4), were in first place in their division, then had injuries on O and D and it all went to hell (and finished 7-9). But the most important injury was Alex Mack.

Quote:

The Browns’ rushing offense dipped from 146.4 rushing yards per game with Mack to 90.5 without him.